Acupuncture Procedures - Part III

The process of Acupuncture has thus come a long way since the olden days. Acupuncturists are now using finger pressure which is called acupressure, small balls of metal which is held to the skin with the help of a tape, magnets which are either with small needles or without, piezoelectric stimulus which is an electric discharge of small magnitude and electrical pulsing of low energy.

Acupuncture treatment has to be of the exact duration. If the treatment is of a shorter period than required it may have no effect. Alternately, if the treatment is given more than what is required it may cause the person undergoing the treatment to feel more exhausted and tired. The point is stimulated with a repetitive process of applying pressure or a slight thrust or a twirl.

Extensive research has been done to have a deeper insight into how the process of acupuncture alleviates or reduces pain. The basic thing that happens in the body when a person goes in for acupuncture procedure is that upon stimulating the acupuncture points, the central nervous system like the brain and the spinal cord are also stimulated.

They then release certain chemicals to the muscles, brain and the spinal cord. These chemicals may then mask the pain or change the pain experience or may even instigate the secretion of certain hormones which influence the body’s natural healing and regulating system.

There are three mechanisms by which this is achieved –

1.      Conduction of Electromagnetic Signals – According to evidence found by Western Scientists, the acupuncture points actually conduct electromagnetic signals. Upon stimulation, these acupuncture points facilitate in faster or speedier conduction of these signals than under normal circumstances.

The faster conduction of these signals enables the biochemicals like endorphin
to flow freely. Endorphin, being a pain killer along with some other immune system
cells starts flowing to the injured or diseased sites in the body to provide the patient
some relief from pain.

2.      Opioid System Activation – Some other research has proved that acupuncture releases several types of opioids into the central nervous system which reduces the pain of the patient.

3.      Changes in Involuntary body functions, Sensation and Brain Chemistry – Studies have shown that acupuncture changes the release of neuro-hormones and neurotransmitters thereby altering the brain chemistry.

 Moreover, acupuncture is also found to affect parts of the central nervous system which are directly related to sensation. These parts are also related to involuntary functions of the body like the immune processes and reactions. These include the patient’s blood flow, blood pressure, body temperature, etc.

How exactly does acupuncture work within the framework of the Western medicine is still not very clear. According to the statement issued by The National Institute of Health Consensus acupuncture as a therapy is very predominant in the United States.

Results of the usage of acupuncture on patients undergoing chemotherapy and suffering from nausea and vomiting, in control and reduction of postoperative pain, dental pain, etc have been very positive and encouraging. Acupuncture thus with its pain relieving properties considerably reduces the need for pain killers thereby reducing the side effects for patients.